Modular smoking article and method of use

ABSTRACT

A modular smoking article, method of using same and smoking kit are provided in which a plurality of inner sleeve members have various sized compartments for receiving various mediums within a cigarette smokestream passageway. The inner sleeves are sized so as to individually be received within an outer sleeve which also receives a cigarette at one end and provides a mouthpiece at the other end whereby the cigarette may be smoked with a variety of different volumes of different mediums such as flavoring, filtering or taste mediums in the inner sleeve compartments.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to smoking of cigarettes and flavoring,filtering, and taste articles for use with cigarettes as well as tomethods of testing new cigarettes and articles for facilitating thetesting of new cigarettes

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the description that follows, reference is made to certain structuresand methods. However, such references should not necessarily beconstrued as an admission that these structures and methods qualify asprior art under the applicable statutory provisions. Applicants reservethe right to demonstrate that any of the referenced subject matter doesnot constitute prior art.

Various smoking articles, cigarette holders and cigarette holders withfiltering arrangements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,250,901;4,201,232; 4,171,000; 4,157,721; 4,071,036; and, 3,771,534. In addition,U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0154993 discloses acigarette filter with beaded carbon. The beaded carbon may be combinedwith inactivated (or less activated) beaded material, or with beadedmaterial flavor carriers, or with other suitable filler material such asglass beads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the preferred embodiments disclosed herein, a modular article forsmoking a cigarette with a predetermined volume of a particular mediumsuch as flavoring, filtering, or taste materials, comprises an outersleeve member having a first end and a second end. The first end of theouter sleeve member is arranged to receive an end of a cigarette and theouter sleeve member defines a passageway through the outer sleevemember. A plurality of inner sleeve members are each receivable withinthe passageway of the outer sleeve. Each of the inner sleeve membersdefines a passageway through the inner sleeve member with a compartmentprovided within the passageway of the inner sleeve member having apredetermined volume. The predetermined volume of the compartment isdifferent for different inner sleeve members of the plurality of innersleeve members. In this way, a different volume of a particular mediummay be used when smoking a different cigarette.

In other preferred embodiments, the modular article further comprises amouthpiece with the second end of the outer sleeve being arranged toreceive the mouthpiece. The second end of the outer sleeve may alsoprovide the mouthpiece for the article. In another preferred embodiment,the modular article comprises an end member arranged to be received bythe second end of the outer sleeve member with the end member beingarranged to receive a cigarette filter.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of inner sleeve membersdefines a first end and a second end with the compartment providedbetween the first end and the second end of the inner sleeve member. Theinner sleeve members each are snugly received within the passageway ofthe outer sleeve so that substantially all fluid passing from the firstend of the outer sleeve to the second end of the outer sleeve passesthrough the compartment of the inner sleeve. The modular article furthercomprises a first sieve member arranged to be received adjacent thefirst end of the inner sleeve member with an arrangement for retainingthe first sieve adjacent the first end of the inner sleeve member. Asecond sieve member is arranged to be received adjacent the second endof the inner sleeve member with an arrangement provided for retainingthe second sieve member adjacent the second end of the inner sleevemember.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of inner sleeve membershas a different predetermined length and a common predetermined innerdiameter. Also, each of the plurality of inner sleeve members mayprovide a resistance to draw for a smoker which is generallyimperceptible to the smoker when smoking a cigarette. Preferably, thevolume of the compartments of the plurality of inner sleeve membersranges from about 0.025 cubic centimeters to about 0.3 cubic centimetersand the plurality of inner sleeve members are filled with apredetermined particular medium.

In another preferred embodiment, a modular article for smoking acigarette with a predetermined volume of a particular medium such asflavoring, filtering, or taste materials, comprises an outer sleevemember having a first end and a second end. The first end of said outersleeve member is arranged to receive an end of a cigarette and the outersleeve member defines a passageway through the outer sleeve member. Aninner sleeve member is receivable within the passageway of the outersleeve. The inner sleeve member defines a passageway through the innersleeve member with a compartment provided within the passageway of theinner sleeve member having a predetermined volume. The predeterminedvolume of the compartment is determined by the length of a portion ofthe inner sleeve member. In this way, a predetermined volume of aparticular medium may be used when smoking a cigarette.

In other preferred embodiments, the modular article comprises amouthpiece with the second end of the outer sleeve being arranged toreceive the mouthpiece. The second end of the outer sleeve may alsoprovide a mouthpiece for the article. The inner sleeve member defines afirst end and a second end with the compartment provided between thefirst end and the second end of the inner sleeve member. The innersleeve member is snugly received within the passageway of the outersleeve so that substantially all fluid passing from the first end of theouter sleeve to the second end of the outer sleeve passes through thecompartment of the inner sleeve. The modular article further comprises afirst sieve member arranged to be received adjacent the first end of theinner sleeve member with an arrangement provided for retaining the firstsieve adjacent the first end of the inner sleeve member. A second sievemember is arranged to be received adjacent the second end of the innersleeve member and an arrangement is provided for retaining the secondsieve member adjacent the second end of the inner sleeve member.

The modular article further comprises a mouthpiece with the second endof the outer sleeve being arranged to receive the mouthpiece. An endmember may be arranged to be received by the second end of the outersleeve member with the end member being arranged to receive a cigarettefilter. The second end of the outer sleeve may provide a mouthpiece forthe article and the second end of the outer sleeve may be arranged toreceive a cigarette filter. The inner sleeve member provides aresistance to draw for a smoker which is generally imperceptible to thesmoker when smoking a cigarette. The predetermined volume of thecompartment of the inner sleeve member is preferably between about 0.025cubic centimeters to about 0.3 cubic centimeters and filled with apredetermined particular medium.

In a preferred method disclosed herein, a cigarette may be tested withdifferent predetermined volumes of a particular medium such asflavoring, filtering, or taste materials. In the preferred method, afirst inner sleeve member is selected from a plurality of inner sleevemembers and the selected inner sleeve member has a passageway with acompartment having a first predetermined volume. The compartment of thefirst inner sleeve member is filled with a predetermined medium and thecompartment is closed with a sieve member to retain the medium withinthe compartment. The first inner sleeve member is inserted within anouter sleeve member and one end of a cigarette is inserted in a firstend of the outer sleeve member. The cigarette is then smoked. The firstinner sleeve member is then removed from the outer sleeve member and asecond inner sleeve member is selected from the plurality of innersleeve members. The second inner sleeve member has a passageway with acompartment having a second predetermined volume, different than thefirst predetermined volume. The compartment of the second inner sleevemember is filled with the predetermined medium and the compartment isclosed with a sieve member to retain the medium within the compartment.The second inner sleeve member is inserted within the outer sleevemember and one end of a cigarette is inserted in a first end of theouter sleeve member. The cigarette is then smoked, whereby differentvolumes of a predetermined flavor, filter or taste material forcigarettes may be tested. The steps of smoking the cigarette may beperformed by an individual or by a machine.

Another preferred method for smoking a cigarette with a predeterminedvolume of a particular medium such as flavoring, filtering, or tastematerials, comprises the steps of selecting a first inner sleeve memberfrom a plurality of inner sleeve members. The selected first innersleeve member has a passageway with a compartment having a firstpredetermined volume. The compartments of the plurality of inner sleevemembers provide a variety of predetermined volumes with the compartmentof each of the plurality of inner sleeve members being filled with apredetermined medium. The first inner sleeve member is inserted withinan outer sleeve member and one end of a cigarette is inserted in a firstend of the outer sleeve member. The cigarette is then smoked and thefirst inner sleeve member is removed from the outer sleeve member. Asecond inner sleeve member is selected from the plurality of innersleeve members with the selected second inner sleeve member having apassageway with a compartment having a second predetermined volumefilled with a predetermined medium. The second inner sleeve member isinserted within the outer sleeve member and one end of a cigarette isinserted in the first end of the outer sleeve member and the cigaretteis smoked.

The predetermined volume of the second selected inner sleeve member maybe substantially the same as the predetermined volume of the firstselected inner sleeve member and the medium provided in the compartmentof the second selected inner sleeve member may be substantially the sameas the medium provided in the compartment of the first selected innersleeve member. The predetermined volume of the second selected innersleeve member may be different than the predetermined volume of thefirst selected inner sleeve member and the medium provided in thecompartment of the second selected inner sleeve member may be differentthan the medium provided in the compartment of the first selected innersleeve member. The cigarette may be smoked by an individual.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a modularsmoking article.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the modular smoking article of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of amodular smoking article.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the modular smoking article of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5 a to 5 e are cross-sectional side views of differently sizedinner sleeve members of the modular smoking article.

FIG. 6 is a graph of analytical RTD versus amount of carbon beads in amodular smoking article.

FIG. 7 is a graph of sensory RTD versus amount of carbon beads in amodular smoking article.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a machine for smoking a cigaretteusing the modular smoking article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a modularsmoking article 20 includes an outer sleeve 22. One end of a cigarette24 is inserted into a first end 34 of the modular smoking article 20with a second end 36 of the modular smoking article 20 providing amouthpiece 28 for the article. An end piece 26 which forms themouthpiece 28 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is received within a secondend 32 of the outer sleeve 22 of the modular smoking article 20.

With reference now to FIG. 2, an exploded view of the modular smokingarticle 20 and cigarette 24 of FIG. 1 is provided. The outer sleeve 22is generally cylindrical in shape with a passageway 31 extending throughthe outer sleeve 22 from the first end 34 of the outer sleeve 22 to thesecond end 32 of the outer sleeve. A first portion 35 of the passagewayat the first end 34 of the outer sleeve has a diameter corresponding tothe diameter of the cigarette 24 to be smoked so that an end of thecigarette may be snugly received by the first end of the outer sleeve22.

A central portion 33 of the passageway 31 has a larger diameter than thefirst portion 35 with the diameter of the central portion 33corresponding generally to the outside diameter of an assembly includingan inner sleeve 40 and annular retainers 52, 62 for the inner sleeve.The inside end of the first portion 35 of the passageway 31 provides ashoulder 38 which prevents the assembly including the inner sleeve 40from passing through the first end of the outer sleeve 22.

The central portion 33 of the passageway 31 has a length that issufficient to receive a variety of inner sleeve assemblies havingdifferent lengths as will be explained below. The passageway 31 may betapered at the second end 32 of the outer sleeve so as to snugly receivethe end piece 26 and to facilitate insertion of the inner sleeveassembly into the passageway 31.

The inner sleeve member 40 is generally cylindrical in shape with apassageway extending axially through the inner sleeve member 40. Bothends of the inner sleeve member are generally identical and include ashoulder 46 provided a short distance inside the end of the inner sleevemember. The end of the inner sleeve member 40 is slightly taperedoutwardly to snugly and releasably receive a corresponding portion ofone of the retainers 52, 62.

A sieve member 50, 60 is provided adjacent the shoulder 46 at each endof the inner sleeve member 40. The sieve member 50, 60 is held by theassociated retainer 52, 62 adjacent the shoulder 46 of the inner sleevemember with the sieve members 50, 60 defining a compartment within theinner sleeve member between the two sieve members 50, 60. A materialsuch as a flavoring, filtering, or taste medium 58 may be providedinside the compartment of the inner sleeve as desired.

The retainers 52, 62 for the inner sleeve member 40 may have knurledends 56 which facilitate insertion and removal of the retainers 52, 62from the ends of the inner sleeve member 40. The retainers 52, 62 have agenerally cylindrical surface which is received by a respective taperedend of the inner sleeve member 40. If desired, the retainers and theends of the inner sleeve member may be threaded so that the retainersare screwed into the ends of the inner sleeve member or provided withanother engagement arrangement as readily apparent to one skilled in theart. If desired, the ends of the retainers may be tapered and the taperomitted from the ends of the inner sleeve or neither the retainers northe ends of the inner sleeve may be tapered.

The sieves 50, 60 are selected so as to have openings which aregenerally smaller than the minimum particle size of the medium 58 toretain the medium 58 between the sieves 50, 60 while permitting a fluidsuch as air or tobacco smoke to pass readily through the sieves and themedium 58.

The end piece 26 has a reduced diameter portion 70 which corresponds tothe second end 32 of the outer sleeve 22 and which is arranged to besnugly and releasably received by the second end 32 of the outer sleeve.The end piece 26 has a conical portion which ends in a tubular portion71 that forms the mouthpiece for the modular smoking article 20. The endpiece has a passageway extending through the end piece with a diametergenerally the same as the diameter of the passageway through the innersleeve 40. The end piece 26 and the second end of the outer sleevemember may be threaded to facilitate assembly and disassembly of thearticle.

The various components of the modular smoking article 20 (other than thesieves 50, 60 and the medium 58) are all preferably formed of a plasticmaterial which is suitable for use with smoking articles and which doesnot absorb flavoring and taste characteristics so that the plasticmaterial remains substantially inert throughout use. One suitablematerial is a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) polymer. The sieves 50, 60 mayalso be formed of plastic although the sieves 50, 60 are generallycomprised of metal such as stainless steel or may be formed of wiremesh. For example, a #250 sieve having openings of 0.00250 inch isappropriate for use with a 0.35 mm diameter beaded carbon medium (i.e.,a typical bead diameter of about 0.014 inches). The various componentsof the modular smoking article 20 are arranged to be readily assembledand disassembled so that the various components (other than the medium58) may be washed or otherwise cleaned between uses.

While beaded carbon is described above, other flavored or unflavoredorganic and inorganic materials can be used such as silica gel,molecular sieve materials, zeolites, resins, cellulosic materials, metaloxides such as alumina, titania, spinels, or the like may be used.Likewise, while beaded materials have been described, other forms ofmaterial such as fibrous material (e.g., filter tow), particle bearingfibrous material (e.g., carbon-on-tow) can be used. Depending upon themedium being used with the inner sleeve, it may be desirable to coat asubstance, such as a flavoring material, onto the carbon beads. However,the beaded carbon may be used alone, i.e., unflavored beaded carbon.Generally, the flavoring, filtering, or taste materials will begranular, beaded, or particulate materials (collectively referred to as“granular materials”).

In use, typically one end of the inner sleeve 40 is provided with thefirst sieve 50 and the first retainer 52. The compartment of the innersleeve member 40 is then provided with a predetermined medium 58. Ifdesired, the amount of the predetermined medium 58 to be provided in thecompartment may be determined by measuring the weight of the medium 58or by measuring the volume of the medium 58. The desired amount of themedium 58 may also be determined by simply filling the compartment withthe medium 58 until the level of the medium reaches the shoulder 46 forthe second sieve 60. When the compartment has been provided with theappropriate amount of the medium 58, the second sieve 60 is insertedinto the inner member and the second retainer is provided at the secondend of the inner sleeve member 40. In this way, the inner sleeve memberis prepared with the predetermined amount of the medium 58 and the innersleeve member 40 is then inserted into the second end of the outersleeve member 22.

After the inner sleeve member 40 has been positioned in the passagewayof the outer sleeve member 22, the end piece 26 is provided at thesecond end of the outer sleeve 22 to retain the inner sleeve member inplace and to provide a mouthpiece 28 for the article. If a cigarette hasnot been already provided for the article, one end of a cigarette 24 isinserted into the first end of the outer sleeve member 22 and thecigarette may then be smoked either by a person or by a machine. Ifdesired, measurements or observations regarding the characteristics oftobacco smoke passing through the particular medium 58 may be recorded.

With reference to FIG. 8, a suitable, conventional smoking machine 120is provided with one or more modular smoking articles 20 with themouthpiece 26 of the article 20 being received within a port 122 of themachine 120. A cigarette 24 is received by the modular smoking article20 and then the cigarette may be smoked and the desired parametersmeasured and recorded by the machine 120 as conventionally known in theart. Especially when the modular smoking article is being used with aconventional smoking machine 120, the end piece 26 may be omitted andthe second end of the outer sleeve may provide the mouthpiece for themodular smoking article 20.

Typically, the cigarette 24 used with the modular smoking article willnot have a filter provided as part of the cigarette 24. However, if thecigarette 24 does have a filter (not shown) the end of the cigarette 24with the filter would be inserted into the first end of the outer sleeve22 and the other end of the cigarette would be lit to smoke thecigarette.

With reference now to FIG. 3, another preferred embodiment of themodular smoking article 20′ has an end piece 76 which is arranged toreceive a conventional cigarette filter 72 to provide the mouthpiece forthe article. The modular smoking article 20′ is otherwise generallyidentical to the modular smoking article of the embodiment of FIGS. 1and 2 with a cigarette 24 received within a first end of an outer sleeve22.

With reference to FIG. 4, the outer sleeve 22 and the inner sleeveassembly of the modular smoking article 20′ corresponds to the outersleeve 22 and the inner sleeve assembly of the modular smoking article20 of FIG. 1. Likewise, the end piece 76 has a reduced diameter portion78 which corresponds to the second end of the outer sleeve 22 and whichis arranged to be snugly received by the second end 32 of the outersleeve. The end piece 76 has a conical portion with an inner taperedsurface 80. The end piece 76 has a passageway through the end piece witha diameter corresponding generally to the diameter of the passageway ofthe inner sleeve 40 and which is configured to receive one end of aconventional cigarette filter 72. In this way, the cigarette filter 72provides the mouthpiece for the modular smoking article 20′ and enablesthe cigarette 24 to be smoked with the filter 72 in addition to anyfiltering provided by the medium 58.

With reference now to FIGS. 5 a through 5 e, five inner sleeve membersare provided which are substantially identical to one another exceptthat the length of the inner sleeve member varies from one embodiment tothe next. Specifically, the length of the compartment 88 of the innersleeve member varies from embodiment to embodiment whereby differentvolumes of the medium 58 may be used with the modular smoking article20, 20′. The outer sleeve 22 is preferably configured to have a lengthsufficient to receive the longest inner sleeve member 40 intended to beused with the outer sleeve member 22.

For example, if the inside diameter of the compartment 88 of the innersleeve 40 is 3 millimeters, the cross sectional area of the compartmentis 0.07065 square centimeters. If the medium 58 to be used in the innersleeve comprises carbon beads having a density of 0.6 grams per cubiccentimeter, and, if it is desired to use 15 milligrams of the medium,then the volume of the medium would be 0.025 cubic centimeters whichcorresponds to a compartment having a length of 3.54 millimeters.Similarly, if it were desired to use 30 milligrams of the medium, thevolume of the medium would be 0.05 cubic centimeters and the length ofthe compartment would be 7.08 millimeters.

Table 1 below provides the length in millimeters for the compartment forvarious amounts of carbon beads ranging from 15 milligrams to 180milligrams when the inside diameter of the compartment is 3 millimeters.TABLE 1 Weight Density I.D. Area Volume Length mg gm/cm³ mm cm² cm³ mm15 0.6 3 0.07065 0.025 3.54 30 0.6 3 0.07065 0.05 7.08 45 0.6 3 0.070650.075 10.62 60 0.6 3 0.07065 0.1 14.15 75 0.6 3 0.07065 0.125 17.69 900.6 3 0.07065 0.15 21.23 105 0.6 3 0.07065 0.175 24.77 120 0.6 3 0.070650.2 28.31 150 0.6 3 0.07065 0.25 35.39 180 0.6 3 0.07065 0.3 42.46

If the inside diameter of the inner sleeve is 4 millimeters rather than3 millimeters, the cross sectional area of the compartment changes andtherefore the length of the compartment corresponding to various amountsof the medium changes as well. In Table 2, the length of the compartmentcorresponding to weights of the medium ranging from 15 milligrams to 180milligrams with a compartment having an inside diameter of 4 millimetersis provided. TABLE 2 Weight Density I.D. Area Volume Length mg gm/cm³ mmcm² cm³ mm 15 0.6 4 0.1256 0.025 1.99 30 0.6 4 0.1256 0.05 3.98 45 0.6 40.1256 0.075 5.97 60 0.6 4 0.1256 0.1 7.96 75 0.6 4 0.1256 0.125 9.95 900.6 4 0.1256 0.15 11.94 105 0.6 4 0.1256 0.175 13.93 120 0.6 4 0.12560.2 15.92 150 0.6 4 0.1256 0.25 19.90 180 0.6 4 0.1256 0.3 23.89

Similarly, in Table 3, the corresponding information for an inner sleevehaving an inside diameter of 5 millimeters is provided. TABLE 3 WeightDensity I.D. Area Volume Length mg gm/cm³ mm cm² cm³ mm 15 0.6 5 0.196250.025 1.27 30 0.6 5 0.19625 0.05 2.55 45 0.6 5 0.19625 0.075 3.82 60 0.65 0.19625 0.1 5.10 75 0.6 5 0.19625 0.125 6.37 90 0.6 5 0.19625 0.157.64 105 0.6 5 0.19625 0.175 8.92 120 0.6 5 0.19625 0.2 10.19 150 0.6 50.19625 0.25 12.74 180 0.6 5 0.19625 0.3 15.29

Table 4 provides the corresponding information for an inner sleevemember having an inside diameter of 5.5 millimeters and Table 5 providesthe corresponding information for an inner sleeve having an insidediameter of 6.5 millimeters. TABLE 4 Weight Density I.D. Area VolumeLength mg gm/cm³ mm cm² cm³ mm 15 0.6 5.5 0.237463 0.025 1.05 30 0.6 5.50.237463 0.05 2.11 45 0.6 5.5 0.237463 0.075 3.16 60 0.6 5.5 0.2374630.1 4.21 75 0.6 5.5 0.237463 0.125 5.26 90 0.6 5.5 0.237463 0.15 6.32105 0.6 5.5 0.237463 0.175 7.37 120 0.6 5.5 0.237463 0.2 8.42 150 0.65.5 0.237463 0.25 10.53 180 0.6 5.5 0.237463 0.3 12.63

TABLE 5 Weight Density I.D. Area Volume Length mg gm/cm³ mm cm² cm³ mm15 0.6 6.5 0.331663 0.025 0.75 30 0.6 6.5 0.331663 0.05 1.51 45 0.6 6.50.331663 0.075 2.26 60 0.6 6.5 0.331663 0.1 3.02 75 0.6 6.5 0.3316630.125 3.77 90 0.6 6.5 0.331663 0.15 4.52 105 0.6 6.5 0.331663 0.175 5.28120 0.6 6.5 0.331663 0.2 6.03 150 0.6 6.5 0.331663 0.25 7.54 180 0.6 6.50.331663 0.3 9.05

Table 6 provides the corresponding information for an inner sleevemember having an inside diameter of 3.2 millimeters. Table 7 providesthe corresponding information for an inner sleeve having an insidediameter of 3.8 millimeters, and Table 8 provides the correspondinginformation for an inner sleeve member having an inside diameter of 4.8millimeters. TABLE 6 Weight Density I.D. Area Volume Length mg gm/cm³ mmcm² cm³ mm 15 0.6 3.2 0.080384 0.025 3.11 30 0.6 3.2 0.080384 0.05 6.2245 0.6 3.2 0.080384 0.075 9.33 60 0.6 3.2 0.080384 0.1 12.44 75 0.6 3.20.080384 0.125 15.55 90 0.6 3.2 0.080384 0.15 18.66 105 0.6 3.2 0.0803840.175 21.77 120 0.6 3.2 0.080384 0.2 24.88 150 0.6 3.2 0.080384 0.2531.10 180 0.6 3.2 0.080384 0.3 37.32

TABLE 7 Weight Density I.D. Area Volume Length mg gm/cm³ mm cm² cm³ mm15 0.6 3.8 0.113354 0.025 2.21 30 0.6 3.8 0.113354 0.05 4.41 45 0.6 3.80.113354 0.075 6.62 60 0.6 3.8 0.113354 0.1 8.82 75 0.6 3.8 0.1133540.125 11.03 90 0.6 3.8 0.113354 0.15 13.23 105 0.6 3.8 0.113354 0.17515.44 120 0.6 3.8 0.113354 0.2 17.64 150 0.6 3.8 0.113354 0.25 22.05 1800.6 3.8 0.113354 0.3 26.47

TABLE 8 Weight Density I.D. Area Volume Length mg gm/cm³ mm cm² cm³ mm15 0.6 4.8 0.180864 0.025 1.38 30 0.6 4.8 0.180864 0.05 2.76 45 0.6 4.80.180864 0.075 4.15 60 0.6 4.8 0.180864 0.1 5.53 75 0.6 4.8 0.1808640.125 6.91 90 0.6 4.8 0.180864 0.15 8.29 105 0.6 4.8 0.180864 0.175 9.68120 0.6 4.8 0.180864 0.2 11.06 150 0.6 4.8 0.180864 0.25 13.82 180 0.64.8 0.180864 0.3 16.59

Table 9 provides the corresponding information for an inner sleevemember having an inside diameter of 6 millimeters and Table 10 providesthe corresponding information for an inner sleeve member having aninside diameter of 5.8 millimeters. TABLE 9 Weight Density I.D. AreaVolume Length mg gm/cm³ mm cm² cm³ mm 15 0.6 6 0.2826 0.025 0.88 30 0.66 0.2826 0.05 1.77 45 0.6 6 0.2826 0.075 2.65 60 0.6 6 0.2826 0.1 3.5475 0.6 6 0.2826 0.125 4.42 90 0.6 6 0.2826 0.15 5.31 105 0.6 6 0.28260.175 6.19 120 0.6 6 0.2826 0.2 7.08 150 0.6 6 0.2826 0.25 8.85 180 0.66 0.2826 0.3 10.62

TABLE 10 Weight Density I.D. Area Volume Length mg gm/cm³ mm cm² cm³ mm15 0.6 5.8 0.264074 0.025 0.95 30 0.6 5.8 0.264074 0.05 1.89 45 0.6 5.80.264074 0.075 2.84 60 0.6 5.8 0.264074 0.1 3.79 75 0.6 5.8 0.2640740.125 4.73 90 0.6 5.8 0.264074 0.15 5.68 105 0.6 5.8 0.264074 0.175 6.63120 0.6 5.8 0.264074 0.2 7.57 150 0.6 5.8 0.264074 0.25 9.47 180 0.6 5.80.264074 0.3 11.36

When testing cigarettes with new or different flavoring, filtering ortaste mediums, it is desirable to be able to easily change the amount orsuch medium without significantly changing the “resistance to draw”(i.e., “RTD”) for the cigarette. RTD can be measured analytically and isconventionally expressed in mm of water. RTD can also be observed orsensed by the smoker which is denoted as a “Sensory RTD” in which thesmoker assigns a numerical value such as the numbers 1-5 to indicatewhether the RTD is low (i.e., a value of 1), medium (i.e., a value of 3)or high (i.e., a value of 5). Experimental results with a modularsmoking article have shown that an analytical difference of RTD of about25 mm of water is generally not perceptible by a smoker when going froma compartment with at least about 15 grams of beaded carbon medium toabout 180 grams of beaded carbon medium. However, a change in RTD ofeven about 25 mm of water is perceptible or decipherable by a smoker ifthe compartment goes from 0 grams of beaded carbon medium to about 180grams of beaded carbon medium. Accordingly, the amount of medium used ina compartment of a modular smoking article may be varied from about 15mg of medium to about 180 mg of medium while maintaining the RTD withina general range which is not generally apparent to the smoker.

In Table 11, the Total RTD Carbon Loadings for 10 tests using 30 mg, 60mg, 75 mg, and an empty inner sleeve are provided along with thecalculated average and standard deviation. TABLE 11 30 mg 60 mg 75 mg 0mg Total RTD Total RTD Total RTD Total RTD 121 123 130 117 118 121 121118 116 115 120 113 115 123 129 112 111 117 116 118 119 121 131 115 116123 121 114 124 130 122 116 111 127 121 115 112 122 126 117 avg. 116.3122.2 123.7 115.5 std. dev 4.3218 4.3153 4.9900 2.0683

In Table 12, the Total RTD Carbon Loadings for 10 tests using 90 mg, 120mg and 180 mg are provided along with the calculated average andstandard deviation. TABLE 12 90 mg 120 mg 180 mg Total RTD Total RTDTotal RTD 133 124 138 126 130 145 134 133 137 123 134 138 124 133 138132 131 133 123 134 133 129 129 138 132 134 135 127 126 130 Average128.3 130.8 136.5 Std. Dev. 4.270050741 3.552776692 4.089281382

In Table 13, the Analytical RTD measured for various volumes of beadedcarbon ranging from 0 mg to 180 mg is provided. TABLE 13 Analytical RTD 0 mg 115.5 30 mg 116.3 60 mg 122.2 75 mg 123.7 90 mg 128.3 120 mg 130.8 180 mg  136.5

In Table 14, the Sensory RTD for various volumes of beaded carbonranging from 0 mg to 180 mg is provided. TABLE 14 Sensory RTD  0 mg 3.7930 mg 4.07 60 mg 4.32 75 mg 4.27 90 mg 4.64 120 mg  4.23 180 mg  4.57

With reference to FIG. 6, the data from Table 13 has been plottedshowing a generally straight-line increase in analytically measured RTDwhen going from 0 mg to 180 mg of beaded carbon medium. In FIG. 7, thesensory RTD data of Table 14 is plotted, showing that over a relativelywide range of amounts of beaded carbon (i.e., from 30 mg to 180 mg) thesensory RTD ranges from about 4 to about 4.5. A sensory RTD which variesby only about 0.5 on a scale of 1-5 is not considered to be readilydiscernible or perceptible to the typical smoker.

With reference again to FIGS. 5 a to 5 e, a set of inner sleeves 40 maybe provided each having a compartment 80 corresponding to a desired orpredetermined volume. Then during testing of a particular flavoring,filtering, or testing medium 58, the various inner sleeves may be filledwith the corresponding different volumes of the medium to be tested. Inthis way, the testing of different volumes of a particular medium isfacilitated. Although in the preferred embodiments, the length of thecompartments of the inner sleeve members is changed to provide thedifferent predetermined volumes for the compartments, the diameter ofthe compartments may be changed while maintaining the same length forthe compartment and inner sleeve member. However, changing the diameterof the compartment is expected to result in a larger change in RTD thanchanging the length of the compartment for a variety of predeterminedcompartment volumes.

Accordingly, if it were desired to test a particular flavoring medium58, using different amounts of the medium varying from 15 mg to 180 mg,preferably a particular inside diameter for the inner sleeve would bedetermined, perhaps based upon the diameter of the cigarettes to be usedwith the flavoring medium. Assuming that an inside diameter of 6.5 mmwere selected, then 10 different inner sleeves 40 having compartmentswith the lengths provided in Table 5 would be prepared by filling thecompartments of each of the inner sleeves with the medium. Generally,the inner sleeves would be prepared by inserting an appropriate sieve inone end of each of the inner sleeves and then a retainer would beinserted into the end of the inner sleeve to maintain the sieve in placeat one end of the respective compartment. The compartment of each innersleeve could then be filled by hand or filled in a jig adapted to holdthe inner sleeve vertically while the medium is inserted into thecompartment. As discussed above, it may be preferable to either weigh orpremeasure the volume of the medium to be inserted into a particularinner sleeve compartment. The medium could be tamped to compress themedium as desired or appropriate to correspond to any predeterminedconfiguration or density. After filling, the other sieve is provided atthe end of the compartment and the other retainer is inserted to keepthe medium within the compartment. Each of the various inner sleeveswould be prepared in this manner.

Subsequently, each of the inner sleeves would be inserted into the outersleeve one at a time and then a cigarette would be smoked either by aperson or by a machine and the pertinent measurements or observationswould be recorded. When one cigarette had been smoked, the inner sleevewould be removed from the outer sleeve and another inner sleeve with thenext volume of the medium inserted into the outer sleeve. If necessary,a rod could be inserted into the first end of the outer sleeve member topush the inner sleeve member through the second end of the outer sleevemember. After the second inner sleeve member had been inserted into theouter sleeve member and another cigarette inserted into the first end ofthe outer sleeve member, the cigarette would then be smoked and theappropriate measurements or observations would be recorded. This processwould then be repeated until all of the various predetermined volumes ofmedium had been used in connection with a cigarette.

Of course, it may be preferable to provided multiple outer sleeves sothat multiple cigarettes could be smoked either with the same volume ofmedium or with different volumes of the medium either simultaneously orrelatively close in time to one another.

The modular smoking article has been described above primarily inconnection with the testing of different volumes of flavoring, filteringor testing mediums. However, the modular smoking article is alsoexpected to be useful by smokers generally (i.e., not in a laboratorysetting or in a testing environment). For example, the modular smokingarticle could be sold to consumers who would be able to select fromamong an assortment of different filtering, flavoring and taste mediumsprovided in pre-filled inner sleeves with various volumes of themediums. It is expected that the pre-filled inner sleeves would bedisposable either after one or several cigarettes have been smoked butthat the consumer would reuse the outer sleeve and mouthpiece. The innersleeves could also be sold to the consumer either in a set withcompartments of identical volumes or in a set with differentpredetermined volumes. In addition, the inner sleeves could be reused bythe consumer by removing one or both retainers and sieves, cleaning thecomponents as desired and then refilling the inner sleeve either withthe same medium or with a medium selected by the consumer.

Thus, different mediums can be selected by the smoker prior to insertinga cigarette in the smoking article. Once assembled together, the smokingarticle and cigarette has dimensions and physical feel of a traditionallit-end cigarette. This allows the smoker to experience the same sort ofhandling mannerisms normally associated with smoking a traditionallit-end cigarette.

In this way, the modular smoking article facilitates the insertion ofdifferent amounts of flavors, tastes and filtering medium in the path ofthe cigarette smoke stream for delivery to a smoker or to a testingmachine. The modular smoking article provides the ability to easily andrapidly change the quantities of the particular mediums being tested orused with the cigarettes without significantly changing the RTD(resistance to draw) of the cigarette. The modular smoking article canbe used with both filtered or non-filtered cigarettes and variousfilters can be provided as the mouthpiece, as desired.

In this way, new cigarette designs can be easily tested by usingstandard cigarettes and then varying the filtering medium, the flavoringmedium or the taste medium as well as the volume or amount of suchmediums without actually manufacturing each new design of cigarette. Asa consumer product, the modular smoking article facilitates theselection of different flavoring, filtering and taste mediums by thesmoker as well as the selection of different amount of such mediums tobe used when smoking.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the modular smokingarticle according to the present invention may be varied by a personskilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the following claims.

1. A modular article for smoking a cigarette with a predetermined volumeof a particular medium such as flavoring, filtering, or taste materials,comprising: an outer sleeve member having a first end and a second end,the first end of said outer sleeve member being arranged to receive anend of a cigarette, said outer sleeve member defining a passagewaythrough the outer sleeve member; a plurality of inner sleeve members,each of said inner sleeve members being receivable within saidpassageway of said outer sleeve, each of said inner sleeve membersdefining a passageway through the inner sleeve member with a compartmentprovided within the passageway of the inner sleeve member having apredetermined volume, the predetermined volume of the compartment beingdifferent for different inner sleeve members of said plurality of innersleeve members, wherein a different volume of a particular medium may beused when smoking a different cigarette.
 2. The modular article of claim1 further comprising a mouthpiece, said second end of said outer sleevebeing arranged to receive said mouthpiece and the smoking article havingthe physical feel of a traditional lit-end cigarette upon insertion of acigarette in the outer sleeve.
 3. The modular article of claim 1 whereinsaid second end of said outer sleeve provides a mouthpiece for thearticle.
 4. The modular article of claim 1 wherein each of saidplurality of inner sleeve members defines a first end and a second endwith said compartment provided between said first end and said secondend of said inner sleeve member, said inner sleeve members each beingsnugly received within the passageway of said outer sleeve so thatsubstantially all fluid passing from the first end of the outer sleeveto the second end of the outer sleeve passes through the compartment ofthe inner sleeve, said modular article further comprising: a first sievemember arranged to be received adjacent the first end of said innersleeve member; means for retaining said first sieve adjacent said firstend of said inner sleeve member; a second sieve member arranged to bereceived adjacent the second end of said inner sleeve member; and, meansfor retaining said second sieve member adjacent the second end of saidinner sleeve member.
 5. The modular article of claim 4 furthercomprising a mouthpiece, said second end of said outer sleeve beingarranged to receive said mouthpiece and the smoking article having thephysical feel of a traditional lit-end cigarette upon insertion of acigarette in the outer sleeve.
 6. The modular article of claim 4 furthercomprising an end member arranged to be received by said second end ofsaid outer sleeve member, said end member being arranged to receive acigarette filter.
 7. The modular article of claim 4 wherein said secondend of said outer sleeve provides a mouthpiece for the article.
 8. Themodular article of claim 4 wherein said second end of said outer sleeveis arranged to receive a cigarette filter.
 9. The modular article ofclaim 1 wherein each of said plurality of inner sleeve members has adifferent predetermined length and a common predetermined insidediameter.
 10. The modular article of claim 1 wherein each of theplurality of inner sleeve members provides a resistance to draw for asmoker which is generally imperceptible to the smoker when smoking acigarette.
 11. The modular article of claim 1 wherein the volume of thecompartments of said plurality of inner sleeve members ranges from about0.025 cubic centimeters to about 0.3 cubic centimeters.
 12. The modulararticle of claim 1 wherein said plurality of inner sleeve members arefilled with a predetermined particular medium.
 13. A modular article forsmoking a cigarette with a predetermined volume of a particular mediumsuch as flavoring, filtering, or taste materials, comprising: an outersleeve member having a first end and a second end, the first end of saidouter sleeve member being arranged to receive an end of a cigarette,said outer sleeve member defining a passageway through the outer sleevemember; an inner sleeve member, said inner sleeve member beingreceivable within said passageway of said outer sleeve, said innersleeve member defining a passageway through the inner sleeve member witha compartment provided within the passageway of the inner sleeve memberhaving a predetermined volume, the predetermined volume of thecompartment being determined by the length of a portion of the innersleeve member, wherein a predetermined volume of a particular medium maybe used when smoking a cigarette.
 14. The modular article of claim 13further comprising a mouthpiece, said second end of said outer sleevebeing arranged to receive said mouthpiece and the smoking article havingthe physical feel of a traditional lit-end cigarette upon insertion of acigarette in the outer sleeve.
 15. The modular article of claim 13wherein said second end of said outer sleeve provides a mouthpiece forthe article.
 16. The modular article of claim 13 wherein said innersleeve member defines a first end and a second end with said compartmentprovided between said first end and said second end of said inner sleevemember, said inner sleeve member being snugly received within thepassageway of said outer sleeve so that substantially all fluid passingfrom the first end of the outer sleeve to the second end of the outersleeve passes through the compartment of the inner sleeve, said modulararticle further comprising: a first sieve member arranged to be receivedadjacent the first end of said inner sleeve member; means for retainingsaid first sieve adjacent said first end of said inner sleeve member; asecond sieve member arranged to be received adjacent the second end ofsaid inner sleeve member; and, means for retaining said second sievemember adjacent the second end of said inner sleeve member.
 17. Themodular article of claim 16 further comprising a mouthpiece, said secondend of said outer sleeve being arranged to receive said mouthpiece andthe smoking article having the physical feel of a traditional lit-endcigarette upon insertion of a cigarette in the outer sleeve.
 18. Themodular article of claim 16 further comprising an end member arranged tobe received by said second end of said outer sleeve member, said endmember being arranged to receive a cigarette filter.
 19. The modulararticle of claim 16 wherein said second end of said outer sleeveprovides a mouthpiece for the article.
 20. The modular article of claim16 wherein said second end of said outer sleeve is arranged to receive acigarette filter.
 21. The modular article of claim 13 wherein said innersleeve member provides a resistance to draw for a smoker which isgenerally imperceptible to the smoker when smoking a cigarette.
 22. Themodular article of claim 13 wherein the predetermined volume of thecompartment of said inner sleeve member is between about 0.025 cubiccentimeters to about 0.3 cubic centimeters.
 23. The modular article ofclaim 13 wherein said inner sleeve member is filled with a predeterminedparticular medium.
 24. A method for testing a cigarette with differentpredetermined volumes of a particular medium such as flavoring,filtering, or taste materials, comprising the steps of: selecting afirst inner sleeve member from a plurality of inner sleeve members, saidselected inner sleeve member having a passageway with a compartmenthaving a first predetermined volume; filling said compartment of thefirst inner sleeve member with a predetermined medium; closing saidcompartment with a sieve member to retain the medium within thecompartment; inserting the first inner sleeve member within an outersleeve member; inserting one end of a cigarette in a first end of saidouter sleeve member; smoking the cigarette; removing the first innersleeve member from the outer sleeve member; selecting a second innersleeve member from said plurality of inner sleeve members, said secondinner sleeve member having a passageway with a compartment having asecond predetermined volume, different than said first predeterminedvolume; filling said compartment of the second inner sleeve member withthe predetermined medium; closing said compartment with a sieve memberto retain the medium within the compartment; inserting the second innersleeve member within the outer sleeve member; inserting one end of acigarette in a first end of said outer sleeve member; smoking thecigarette, whereby different volumes of a predetermined flavor, filteror taste material for cigarettes may be tested.
 25. The method of claim24 wherein said steps of smoking the cigarette are performed by asmoker.
 26. The method of claim 24 wherein said steps of smoking thecigarette are performed by a machine.
 27. A method for adjustingtreatment of mainstream tobacco smoke by passing the smoke through apredetermined volume of a particular medium such as flavoring,filtering, or taste materials, comprising the steps of: selecting afirst inner sleeve member from a plurality of inner sleeve members, saidselected first inner sleeve member having a passageway with acompartment having a first predetermined volume, the compartment of saidplurality of inner sleeve members providing a variety of predeterminedvolumes, the compartment of each of said plurality of inner sleevemembers being filled with a predetermined medium; inserting the firstinner sleeve member within an outer sleeve member; inserting one end ofa cigarette in a first end of said outer sleeve member; drawing upon thecigarette while lit; removing the first inner sleeve member from theouter sleeve member; selecting a second inner sleeve member from saidplurality of inner sleeve members, said selected second inner sleevemember having a passageway with a compartment having a secondpredetermined volume filled with a predetermined medium; inserting thesecond inner sleeve member within the outer sleeve member; inserting oneend of a cigarette in a first end of said outer sleeve member; drawingupon the cigarette while lit.
 28. The method of claim 27 wherein thepredetermined volume of said second selected inner sleeve member issubstantially the same as the predetermined volume of said firstselected inner sleeve member.
 29. The method of claim 27 wherein themedium provided in the compartment of the second selected inner sleevemember is substantially the same as the medium provided in thecompartment of the first selected inner sleeve member.
 30. The method ofclaim 27 wherein said steps of smoking the cigarette are performed by asmoker.
 31. The method of claim 27 wherein the predetermined volume ofsaid second selected inner sleeve member is different than thepredetermined volume of said first selected inner sleeve member.
 32. Themethod of claim 27 wherein the medium provided in the compartment of thesecond selected inner sleeve member is different than the mediumprovided in the compartment of the first selected inner sleeve member.33. The method of claim 27 wherein said steps of smoking the cigaretteare performed by a smoker.
 34. A smoking kit comprising: a mouthpiecehaving a passage therethrough for delivery of cigarette smoke to asmoker; an outer sleeve adapted to receive a cigarette at an upstreamend thereof and the mouthpiece at a downstream end thereof; and aplurality of inner sleeves sized so as to be individually receivedwithin the outer sleeve, the inner sleeves having differently sizedcompartments through which the cigarette smoke passes, the compartmentsbeing prefilled or fillable with flavoring, filtering and/or tastemediums.
 35. The smoking kit of claim 34, wherein the inner sleeves areprefilled with flavoring, filtering and/or taste mediums.